Coughing - Symptoms, Indications and Actions


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Coughing

	Other Names
	Cough, Coughs, Dry Cough, Cough and Cold, Common Cold. View products
	Description
	A cough is a sudden indrawing of air with the glottis wide open. This is followed by a blowing out of air against a closed glottis. The glottis then suddenly opens and the air in the lungs is expelled under high pressure - up to 300 millimetres of mercury and at a speed of 960 kilometres (600 miles) an hour. Its purpose is to rid the air passages and windpipe of what are colloquially known as foreign bodies, including the excessive mucus and other secretions produced in infections of the lungs and upper air passages, such as bronchitis and sore throats. As such secretions contain many micro-organisms, it is clear what an important part coughing plays in spreading the common cold and other infections of the nose, throat and lungs. It is a reflex action produced by stimulation of nerve endings in the air passages and may therefore be induced by irritation of these nerve endings by inflammation without any secretion. This results in the dry irritable cough which can be such a troublesome feature of the early and late stages of acute bronchitis, tracheitis and laryngitis. Conversely the inability to cough in inflammatory conditions of the lungs, such as bronchitis and broncho-pneumonia, especially in old folk, is an ominous sign, and every effort must be made to stimulate coughing so far as this is possible. Cough is a symptom of many diseases. Most coughs come from simple viral infections, such as the common cold. Sometimes, but not always, mucus is produced with the cough. If the color is green or yellow, it may be a hint of a bacterial infection, although this is not always a reliable indicator. If the color is red, there may be bleeding in the lungs. Any cough that produces blood or blood-stained mucus, as well as any cough that lasts more than two weeks, requires a visit to a medical professional for diagnosis. Conventional treatment options: Conventional treatment for cough is primarily directed at the underlying cause. Symptoms may be treated with cough suppressants (e.g., codeine and dextromethorphan), demulcent syrups or lozenges (e.g., acacia, licorice, and glycerin) to soothe the throat and airway, expectorants (e.g., iodide solutions and guaifenesin) to help expel mucus, and mucolytics (e.g., acetylcysteine) to help thin mucus secretions. Herbs that may be helpful: A number of herbs have a rich history of use for treating coughs due to colds, bronchitis, or other mild conditions. Only a few studies have examined the effectiveness of these herbs. However, their effectiveness is well-known by practitioners of herbal medicine the world over. Among those herbs that have been shown to have some degree of cough-relieving activity are marshmallow,1 sundew,2 and coltsfoot.3 Use of coltsfoot should be limited to preparations of the leaves and flowers only, as the root is high in pyrrolizidine alkaloids, constituents that may be toxic to the liver. Thyme has a long history of use in Europe for the treatment of dry, spasmodic coughs as well as for bronchitis.4 Many constituents in thyme team up to provide its antitussive (preventing and treating a cough), antispasmodic, and expectorant actions. The primary constituents are the volatile oils, which include the phenols thymol and carvacol.5 These are complemented by the actions of flavonoids along with saponins. Thyme, either alone or in combination with herbs such as sundew, continues to be one of the most commonly recommended herbs in Europe for the treatment of dry, spasmodic coughs as well as for whooping cough.6 Because of its apparent safety, it has become a favorite for treating coughs in small children. The active constituents in anise (Pimpinella anisum), particularly the terpenoid anethole, give this plant a delightful flavor. As an antispasmodic, it helps in gently relieving spasmodic coughs.7 The mucilage of slippery elm gives it a soothing effect for coughs. Usnea also contains mucilage, which may be helpful in easing irritating coughs. There is a long tradition of using wild cherry syrups to treat coughs. Other traditional remedies to relieve coughs include bloodroot, catnip, comfrey (the above-ground parts, not the root), horehound, elecampane, mullein, lobelia, ephedra, hyssop, licorice, mallow (Malvia sylvestris),red clover, ivy leaf, pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides, Mentha pulegium), onion (Allium cepa), and plantain (Plantago lanceolata, P. major). None of these has been investigated in human trials, so their true efficacy for relieving coughs is unknown. The early 19th-century Eclectic physicians in the United States (who used herbs as their main medicine) not only employed eucalyptus oil to sterilize instruments and wounds but also recommended a steam inhalation of the oil's vapor to help treat asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, and emphysema.8 Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions. Other integrative approaches that may be helpful: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may be helpful in the treatment of a cough. Cupping (the use of a glass cup to create suction over a skin surface) is a traditional Chinese therapy, often used for patients to help relieve a cough. An uncontrolled study using cupping to relieve coughs reported a curative response in 35 of 41 patients.9 Other TCM therapies, including acupuncture and herbal medicine, may be helpful in cough-producing ailments such as asthma and bronchitis. References: 1. Nosal'ova G, Strapkova A, Kardosova A, et al. Antitussive action of extracts and polysaccharides of marshmallow (Althea officinalis L, var robusta). Pharmazie 1992;47:224-6 [in German]. 2. Schilcher H. Phytotherapy in Paediatrics. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers, 1997, 38. 3. Wichtl M, Bisset N (eds). Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers and Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1994. 4. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1996, 492-5. 5. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics, 1998, 1184-5. 6. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum and Beaconsfield, UK: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988, 208-9. 7. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenberg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum and Beaconsfield,UK: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1985:203-4. 8. Castleman M. The Healing Herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1991, 162-3. 9. Liu X. Treatment of cough in children by cupping on back. J Tradit Chin Med 1996;16:125. Source: NOW Foods View products
	Product Categories
	Anise, Asparagus, Borage, Bugleweed, Cedarwood Atlas Essential Oil, Coltsfoot, Common Ivy, Couch Grass, Elecampane, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Ginseng, Graviola (Soursop), Hawthorn, Horehound, Horseradish, Licorice Root, Pennyroyal, Plantain, Red Clover, White Slippery Elm View products

Coughing - Symptoms, Indications and Actions Click on any of the products below for detailed product information!
Eucalyptus Pure Essential Oil	Tea Tree Oil - (Melaleuca) - 100% Pure Essential Oil	Eucalyptus Pure Essential Oil	Eucalyptus Pure Essential Oil	Tea Tree Oil - (Melaleuca) - 100% Pure Essential Oil	Tea Tree Oil - (Melaleuca) - 100% Pure Essential Oil
Thyme White Pure Essential Oil	Couch Grass (Dog Grass) Root - 250 mg	Tagetes (Marigold) Pure Essential Oil	Tagetes (Marigold) Pure Essential Oil	Tagetes (Marigold) Pure Essential Oil	Red Clover Tops Tea (Loose)
Red Clover Tops Tea (Loose)	Red Clover Tops Tea	Red Clover Tops Tea	Licorice Root Tea	Licorice Root Tea	Couch Grass (Dog Grass) Tea
Couch Grass (Dog Grass) Tea	Couch Grass (Dog Grass) Tea (Loose)	Couch Grass (Dog Grass) Tea (Loose)	Licorice Flavoured Ceylon Tea (Loose)	Licorice Flavoured Ceylon Tea (Loose)	Licorice Flavoured Ceylon Tea
Licorice Flavoured Ceylon Tea	Fennel Seed Tea	Fennel Seed Tea	Fennel Seed Tea (Loose Tea)	Fennel Seed Tea (Loose Tea)	Digestive Formula Tea
Digestive Formula Tea	Eucalyptus Leaf Tea	Eucalyptus Leaf Tea	Eucalyptus Leaf Tea (Loose)	Eucalyptus Leaf Tea (Loose)	Original Ojibwa 4-Herb Formula (Loose)
Original Ojibwa 4-Herb Formula (Loose)	Original Ojibwa 4-Herb Formula	Original Ojibwa 4-Herb Formula	Original Ojibwa 8-Herb Formula (Loose)	Original Ojibwa 8-Herb Formula (Loose)	Original Ojibwa 8-Herb Formula
Original Ojibwa 8-Herb Formula	Lin-Chi Tea	Lin-Chi Tea	Eliminator Tea	Eliminator Tea	Plantain Leaf Tea
Plantain Leaf Tea	Plantain Leaf Tea (Loose)	Plantain Leaf Tea (Loose)	Asparagus Root Tea	Asparagus Root Tea	Asparagus Root Tea (Loose)
Asparagus Root Tea (Loose)	Elecampane Root Tea	Elecampane Root Tea	Elecampane Root Tea (Loose)	Elecampane Root Tea (Loose)	Anise Seed Tea
Anise Seed Tea	Anise Seed Tea (Loose)	Anise Seed Tea (Loose)	Horehound Tea	Horehound Tea	Horehound Tea (Loose)
Horehound Tea (Loose)	Anise Seed - Salve Ointment	Anise Seed - Cream	Elecampane Root - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - No Flavor	Elecampane Root - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Strawberry Flavored	Elecampane Root - Salve Ointment
Elecampane Root - Cream	Couch Grass (Dog Grass) - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - No Flavor	Couch Grass (Dog Grass) - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Strawberry Flavored	Couch Grass (Dog Grass) - Salve Ointment	Couch Grass (Dog Grass) - Cream	Asparagus Root - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - No Flavor
Asparagus Root - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Strawberry Flavored	Asparagus Root - Salve Ointment	Asparagus Root - Cream	Eucalyptus Leaf - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - No Flavor	Eucalyptus Leaf - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Strawberry Flavored	Eucalyptus Leaf - Salve Ointment
Horehound - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - No Flavor	Horehound - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Strawberry Flavored	Horehound - Salve Ointment	Horehound - Cream	Fennel Seed - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - No Flavor	Fennel Seed - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Strawberry Flavored
Fennel Seed - Salve Ointment	Fennel Seed - Cream	Elecampane Root - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Chocolate Flavored	Couch Grass (Dog Grass) - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Chocolate Flavored	Asparagus Root - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Chocolate Flavored	Eucalyptus Leaf - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Chocolate Flavored
Horehound - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Chocolate Flavored	Fennel Seed - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Chocolate Flavored	Elecampane Root - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Vanilla Flavored	Couch Grass (Dog Grass) - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Vanilla Flavored	Asparagus Root - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Vanilla Flavored	Eucalyptus Leaf - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Vanilla Flavored
Horehound - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Vanilla Flavored	Fennel Seed - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Vanilla Flavored	Graviola (Soursop) Powder	Graviola (Soursop) Powder	Elecampane Root - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Mint Flavored	Couch Grass (Dog Grass) - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Mint Flavored
Asparagus Root - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Mint Flavored	Eucalyptus Leaf - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Mint Flavored	Horehound - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Mint Flavored	Fennel Seed - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Mint Flavored	Red Clover Tops - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - No Flavor	Red Clover Tops - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Strawberry Flavored
Red Clover Tops - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Chocolate Flavored	Red Clover Tops - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Vanilla Flavored	Red Clover Tops - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Mint Flavored	Red Clover Tops - Cream	Red Clover Tops - Salve Ointment	Coltsfoot - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - No Flavor
Coltsfoot - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Strawberry Flavored	Coltsfoot - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Chocolate Flavored	Coltsfoot - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Vanilla Flavored	Coltsfoot - Glycerite Liquid Extract (1:5) - Mint Flavored	Coltsfoot - Cream	Coltsfoot - Salve Ointment